Top cornerback prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft
USA TODAY Sports’ Christian D’Andrea breaks down the top cornerback studs, sleepers and deep sleepers in the 2026 NFL Draft.
It only took Mike Macdonald two seasons to lead the Seattle Seahawks to their second Super Bowl victory. What will be in store for the team in 2026?
The Seahawks are returning a chunk of the core that earned the NFC’s No. 1 seed and thrashed the New England Patriots 29-13 in Super Bowl 60. However, there have been some notable departures, with key players Kenneth Walker III, Boye Mafe, Coby Bryant and Riq Woolen all leaving in free agency.
It won’t be easy for Seattle to replace all of those role players. The Seahawks are entering the 2026 NFL Draft with a league-low four total picks at their disposal, though they will sure attempt to trade down at some point to acquire more.
Still, John Schneider has put on a master class over the last few years, landing numerous, high-quality players like Devon Witherspoon, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Grey Zabel and Nick Emmanwori with his early-round picks. If he can unearth another gem, that could quickly put the Seahawks back on the path to contention.
Here’s everything to know about the Seahawks’ picks, needs and outlook for the 2026 NFL Draft:
Seahawks 2026 NFL Draft picks
The Seahawks have four picks in the 2026 NFL Draft. Here’s the complete list:
- Round 1, Pick 32: Jadarian Price, RB, Notre Dame
While they would have liked to retain Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III, other priorities – like re-signing WR/KR Rashid Shaheed – took precedence. But Seattle didn’t have the luxury of standing pat in the run game, either, given RB2 Zach Charbonnet tore his ACL in January. Price is a slasher who starred in a timeshare with Jeremiyah Love at Notre Dame and could nicely fill Walker’s role – maybe one of Shaheed’s, too, if the Seahawks opt to make him a bigger part of the offense in 2026. And it does make sense to get a back in Round 1 and the option of a fifth year of contractual control if he pans out. — Nate Davis
- Round 2, Pick 64: Bud Clark, S, TCU
Ball hawk − 15 interceptions over the past four seasons. And he could play in short order after Coby Bryant left for Chicago. A 6-foot-1, 188-pounder with 4.4 speed who will also take on RBs. — Nate Davis
- Round 3, Pick 99: Julian Neal, CB, Arkansas
Big (6-2, 203) in the often-cited Seattle mold, GM John Schneider continues reloading his secondary with Neal, who has four picks since 2024. — Nate Davis
- Round 5, Pick 148 (from Chiefs via Browns): Beau Stevens, OG, Iowa
- Round 6, Pick 199 (from Lions, via Browns, Bengals, Jets: Emmanuel Henderson Jr., WR, Kansas
- Round 7, Pick 236 (from Packers): Andre Fuller, CB, Toledo
- Round 7, Pick 242 (from Bills, via Browns, Jets)
Seattle entered the 2026 NFL Draft with the fewest picks in the league. It used several of its Day 3 picks to swing trades for defensive tackle Roy Robertson-Harris (2024) and wide receiver Rashid Shaheed (2025).
Jadarian Price, RB, Notre Dame at No. 32 overall – Grade: B-
He won’t be known primarily as Jeremiyah Love’s backup for much longer. The defending champions just made Price an essential part of their backfield after Kenneth Walker III’s departure. It’s fair to question the positional value here, especially for a back who’s an unproven commodity in the passing game. But Seattle had few options to find someone who could at least share the load with Zach Charbonnet, and the defending champs are in a better position than most teams to make this kind of move. — Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz
Bud Clark, S, TCU at No. 64 overall – Grade: B
As arguably the premier ballhawk in college football, Clark flew under the radar a bit during the pre-draft process. He gets his due here, though, with the defending champs, who will properly appreciate Clark’s ball skills as they replace Coby Bryant. — Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz
Julian Neal, CB, Arkansas at No. 99 overall
At 6-2, Neal feels like a throwback to the Legion of Boom years. He’s a strong fit for Mike Macdonald’s defense and rounds out the secondary after Riq Woolen’s departure. — Michael Middhurst-Schwartz
148. G Beau Stephens, Iowa – Grade: B
Never hurts for the defending champs to have more support up front, especially with Anthony Bradford continuing on as a starting guard. Stephens has some athletic limitations but is worth a shot here for his knowhow.
Seahawks 2026 NFL Draft needs
Running back
Super Bowl 60 MVP Kenneth Walker III signed with the Kansas City Chiefs in free agency while Zach Charbonnet may not be ready for Week 1 as he recovers from a torn ACL he suffered during the playoffs. Seattle will need to find a potential plug-and-play starter and could target players like Jadarian Price or Jonah Coleman with their second-round pick or via a first-round trade down.
Cornerback
The Seahawks retained Josh Jobe in free agency, but lost Riq Woolen to the Philadelphia Eagles. Jobe is a functional No. 2 cornerback across from Devon Witherspoon, but Seattle could stand to add a potential-packed player to provide depth to the position group and eventually challenge Jobe.
Right guard
Rookie left guard Grey Zabel proved to be a game-changer for Seattle’s blocking unit. Upgrading over right guard Anthony Bradford – who graded 71st among 79 qualified guards last season, per Pro Football Focus – could further improve the unit.
Seahawks 2026 NFL mock draft
Here’s what the Seahawks could do come draft night, per Ayrton Ostly’s seven-round mock draft:
- Round 2, Pick 33*: IOL Chase Bisontis, Texas A&M
- Seattle recouped a little more draft capital by leaving the end of the first round and Bisontis is a great consolation prize. The Seahawks boosted the interior offensive line with Grey Zabel last year and bring on a former tackle in Bisontis to shore up the other guard spot. He brings tackle experience, quick feet and consistent hands.
- Round 2, Pick 64: DB Treydan Stukes, Arizona
- Seattle lost Riq Woolen and Coby Bryant in free agency and could use more depth in the secondary if they hope to repeat in 2026 or at least contend for another title. Stukes started out his career as a cornerback for the Wildcats before transitioning to a safety role. He was one of the fastest defensive backs at the NFL combine and his hybrid background could be a fit in a defense that thrives on versatility from its secondary.
- Round 3, Pick 96: WR Skyler Bell, Connecticut
- Cooper Kupp is entering his age-33 season and the Seahawks retained Rashid Shaheed long-term. That means they’ll need a successor in the slot sooner than later. Bell spent a third of his snaps there in 2025 with good accelaration, body control and sure hands.
- Round 4, Pick 140*: RB Kaytron Allen, Penn State
- Round 6, Pick 188: Edge Nadame Tucker, Western Michigan
* Projected trade with New York Jets.
